Alcatraz

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k
• Leerjaar 1,2

Lesdoelen

 Unit 1: lesson 2

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• Woorden over het uiterlijk verstaan in korte teksten
• Huiswerk

ALCATRAZ

The Rock

Alcatraz

Alcatraz was the supermax federal prison of its own time. It is famously known for its structure and its nickname of ‘the Rock’. Over the years, it housed approximately 1,545 of America’s most ruthless criminals. Alcatraz Island is located in the heart of San Francisco Bay.

How big were the cells in the prison?

The cells in that prison were of the size 1,50 m by 2,75 m. They had a toilet, a sink and a sleeping cot. It was the only federal prison at the time which offered hot water shower.

How many prisoners?

The average number was 260.

Ruthless criminals

The most incorrigible and disobedient inmates in the federal penal system were shifted to this prison.

How did it get this name?

The word Alcatraz means ‘strange birds’ or pelicans. This island was named ‘de los alcatraces’ by a Spanish explorer Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775. He was the first person to map the San Francisco Bay.

For how many years did it operate as a federal prison?

This prison operated for 29 years, from 1934 to 1963.

There were 14 escape attempts by 36 prisoners. 6 of them were shot dead, 2 drowned, 5 went missing and 23 were caught.

Early history

It has not always been a military prison. Initially, it was a fort. President Millard Fillmore declared it as a military reservation in 1850. In 1907, it became an official United States military prison and remained till 1933. In 1933, it became a part of the Bureau of Prisons.

Al Capone

Al Capone was one of the most famous prisoners. Al Capone was a member of the maffia (mobster) and he was a very bad and violent.

He spent 4.5 years there in the 1930s.

01:10

What is concrete?

1. concreet
2. beton
3. steen

01:29

How many keys do you need to open a cell in Alcatraz?

1. 0
2. 1
3. 2
4. 3

02:25

What kind of prisoners were in Alcatraz?

1. nice prisoners because there is no fence
2. the worst of the worst
3. prisoners with minor offences

03:28

What about the steel bars?

1. They can be cut
2. They can't be cut
3. They are very wide
4. They are very cold

04:16

Why is the prison nicknamed 'the slammer'?

1. Because of the sound the steel doors make when they close.
2. Because slammer means handcuffed.

04:50

Why does Alcatraz have no fence?

1. Icy water with a strong current.
2. Prisoners couldn't swim.
3. They were allowed to leave
4. There was a fence

05:27

How did they dig a hole in the wall?

1. spoon
2. knife
3. fork
4. hands

Huiswerk

• Lees tekst WB blz 10
• M. opdr. WB blz 2 t/m 5 en 8, 9 en 10 WB blz 10 -14  (online maken)